Dragster to encourage study habits
Students at the Forest Park Middle School will have a chance to see one very fast car, and learn how their classroom lessons help make it go.
On May 1 at 1 p.m., middle school grad Cheryl Kolinek will bring her drag racing car to the school for students in Beverly Forbes’ industrial technology class to view. Kolinek finished eighth last year in the Midwest Super Comp Series, according to a statement from her racing team, and is a former student of Forbes’. During a visit to the school in 2006, Kolinek emphasized that math and science are very important to her sport. She encouraged the kids to study so that they’re prepared for any career they might choose.
Budget talks to continue
Council members will meet with department heads April 30 to continue reviewing Forest Park’s proposed budget for the new fiscal year. During an earlier discussion of the proposal, elected officials were pleased to announce that the state had agreed to give the village 36 months to pay its share of a road-improvement project that threatened to plunge the local ledger into the red. Originally, the council had expected to have only six months to pay for the project.
During an April 8 budget meeting, expenses for fiscal year 2010 were projected to exceed $22.33 million. The current fiscal year’s budget calls for $21.64 million in spending, but municipal officials expect actual spending to come in closer to $20.34 million.
The April 30 meeting will be held at village hall, 517 Desplaines, at 6:30 p.m.
Time capsule buried
A time capsule that was part of Forest Park’s centennial celebration in 2007 was buried this month in a small park at the corner of Randolph and Circle streets. Items for the vault were collected during the festivities two years ago, but were not immediately buried because of renovations anticipated at the park.
There was little fanfare surrounding the April 22 burial, and notifications weren’t made until several hours beforehand. The time capsule will remain in the ground for 100 years until 2107.
Annual food drive
Mail carriers with the United States Postal Service will collect donations of food next month during what has become the nation’s largest single-day food drive. On Saturday, May 9, non-perishable food items may be left at your mailbox and carriers will collect the goods and distribute them to area food pantries. This year’s drive is the 15th annual for Stamp Out Hunger. In 2008, the effort collected more than 73 million pounds of food, according to www.helpstampouthunger.com.
